he Sermon on the Mount (SOM) is the most quoted section of the Bible, next to the Ten Commandments. It contains the Golden Rule, the Lord's Prayer (Matt. 6:9-15) and one of the most misunderstood portions of scripture (Matt. 7:1-6). In the sermon, Jesus frankly comments about divorce and remarriage, his solution for anger and anxiety and the true characteristics of his followers, characteristics which are almost universally rejected today. Most people like the Sermon on the Mount because they do not really know what it says. This is Jesus’ first major message in the gospel of Matthew (Matt. 5:1-7:29). It is the first of a series of five sermons related to discipleship. This sermon is also recorded in the gospel of Luke (Luke 6:17-49). Between the two records, Matthew contains more of the sermon. Consequently, this series will concentrate on Matthew's record of the Sermon on the Mount.

Background. The gospel of Matthew presents Jesus as the king of the Kingdom of Heaven. It shows the Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah, the Christ, are fulfilled in Jesus. The first two chapters of Matthew reveal Jesus’ ancestors, his parents, his birth, and his return from Egypt to Nazareth (Matt. 2:22-23). Matthew skips Jesus’ childhood, which is recorded in Luke (Luke 2:41-52). Both Matthew and Luke tell us that Jesus started His ministry after His baptism by John the Baptist (Luke 3:21-23), and began preaching “Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand (Matt. 4:17).” Matthew summarizes the calling of Jesus’ disciples, the twelve apostles, and Jesus’ awesome healing ministry (Matt. 4:18-25).

Setting. In preparation for Jesus’ sermon the next day, He went up on a mountain apparently to get away from the crowds – to be by Himself – so that He could pray to the Father (Luke 6:12). Just imagine what would happen if more pastors and teachers spent the night – well – at least two hours praying before they preached or taught - just like Jesus . . .

      In the morning, Jesus came down the mountain (Matt. 5:1; Luke 6:17) and He met a great crowd of His disciples and a great many people. The crowd tried to touch Him and many succeeded. Those who did touch Him were healed instantly because power was flowing from Him (Luke 6:19). Today, we could ask, why are you reading this? To be healed? To see Jesus? To hear Jesus? The crowds came too. They came to hear Jesus. Jesus desires seekers, those who truly long to know Him more and more.

Matthew and Luke both tell us that Jesus descended the mountain and stood on a plateau of the mountainside. Apparently, the people sat on the mountainside so they could look down on Jesus. They created an outdoor amphitheater and Jesus began to teach saying . . . .